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National defence officials, diplomats and industry leaders from around the world are gathering in Halifax this weekend for an annual three-day conference to discuss issues of international security, with a focus this year on the future of democracy. Defence Minister David McGuinty is hosting the 17th annual Halifax International Security Forum, an event watched closely for its discussions among democratic allies about collective defence and global conflicts.McGuinty told reporters at an opening press conference Friday that “the international security environment is more complex, and it’s more dangerous, than at any time since the end of the Cold War” — making it all the more important for democracies to stand together.“Democracy has everything to do with international security,” Peter Van ...

U.S. Vice-President JD Vance on Friday took aim at Canada’s political leadership and “immigration insanity” as the reasons for “stagnating” living standards in America’s northern neighbour. In a series of social media posts on X, Vance shared data purporting to show living standards in Canada falling below the U.S. and Britain in recent years. He then connected that to the fact that Canada has the highest population share of foreign-born people among G7 countries.“While I’m sure the causes are complicated, no nation has leaned more into ‘diversity is our strength, we don’t need a melting pot we have a salad bowl’ immigration insanity than Canada,” the vice-president wrote.In a follow-up post he added: “And with all due respect to my Canadian friends, whose politics focus obsessively on the...

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa is working on a $1 billion project aimed at expanding critical minerals processing capacity in Canada, while securing the equivalent of $70 billion in investment from the United Arab Emirates. The announcements come as Carney concluded a visit to Abu Dhabi, which focused heavily on trade amid concerns about the war in Sudan.“I’m pleased that an agreement valued over $1 billion is in the process of being finalized,” Carney said in a Friday morning speech to the Canada-UAE Business Council.“(It) will expand critical minerals processing capacity in Canada, creating jobs, boosting (the) long-term supply of minerals essential to energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. More on that soon,” he said. ...

Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland will move to Oxford, England, to take on a new position next summer administering the Rhodes Trust, the educational charity confirmed Thursday. The charity is famous for its prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, which offers students from around the world the chance to study at the University of Oxford.It announced Wednesday evening that Freeland has been appointed CEO of the Rhodes Trust and Warden of Rhodes House, a building on the university’s campus, starting July 1, 2026.Spokesperson Babette Littlemore confirmed by phone Freeland will move to Oxford for the role.But Freeland herself has not announced plans to resign as a member of Parliament.Freeland’s office did not respond to calls or emails Thursday. Story continues below advertisement ...